TIMBER MERCHANT DONE TO DEATH;

Madikeri July 19, 2006

A timber merchant, C.P.Moidu was done to death at Chettalli, 16 KMs from here today.

In broad day light, Moidu was brutally attacked with a bill hook and thrown on road to die by culprits. Sources said that Moidu, a resident of Kandakeri near Chettalli was called by some one over telephone to meet them at Abyala around 2 pm, near his place. Moidu reportedly went alone and did not return. His body, still breathing was found on the road in a pool of blood with deep cuts all over, especially on head, face and neck.

He was immediately shifted to Madikeri hospital. He was given blood and first aid and advised to shift to Mangalore. However he breathed his last in the ambulance vehicle, nine kilometers from Madikeri on the way to Mangalore by 4.30 pm.

Superintendent of police Ramachandra Rao, DYsP Shetty and others have rushed to the spot. Heavy police security is arranged in the area as rumours are ripe that Moidu was murdered by a person belonging to another community.

Police have began investigation.

SP DIRECTS GUN HOLDERS TO REGULARISE LICENCE;

Superintendent of police Dr.Ramachandra rao has directed all the gun holders in the district to strictly get their licenses renewed and records verified by police.

In an informal chat with this correspondent, Rao told that district has about 23, 076 guns. While majority are Jamma holders, around six thousand regular license holders are there. He observed that the gun holders are getting their records verified only in the revenue department and hardly come to police department. He insisted that they should be compulsorily produced before the police and get the weapons verified. He has appealed to the owners to co operate.

Referring to the entertainment clubs operating in the district, Rao stated that most of them do not possess proper license. While few do not possess license, others are not full fledged clubs. He noted that clubs are floated with a motive to play cards and gamble. They name some VIP as the president or a committee member and try to continue activity without owning a licence. Most of them are registered only in the registrars office and police department was unaware of it. A recreation club will have to cater to the needs of a family with all the facilities to play. In majority of the cases here, Clubs are run in one room with the only intrension to gamble, he said.

The SP has requested such organizations to get registered within a month or to face legal consequences.

SUBSTANDARD MANURE;

While the sub standard manure being sold at Kushalnagar by a Hassan based dealer created ruckus in the session recently, one more incident of such manure being sold at an agriculture society is being reported from Cherambane.

Taluk Panchayath president Kishore Kumar mentioned this in the progress review meeting held here yesterday and questioned the officials as to what action they have taken.

The Agriculture officer came under attack as he said that he is unaware of it.

The executive officer of Taluk Panchayath, Motaiah stated that the samples are sent for testing and suitable action would be taken immediately. A notice was also issued to the society in this regard.

Motappa disclosed that about 33 school buildings in Madikeri taluk are damaged due to heavy rainfall and action would be taken to repair them. BEO Sridar stated that the schools are asked to declare holidays during heavy rainfall in their respective areas on their own at their discretion.

BITTER BITE;

The taluk panchayath meeting held at Somwarpet witnessed bitter arguments over a dog bite.

TP member Latiff alleged that a doctor at Primary Health centre collected rupees one hundred from an estate labourer to inject anti rabies to his son. Heated arguments were witnessed far and against the allegation. Another member Latiff supported the doctor and said that no money was collected. As the situation turned hot, the executive officer called the doctor over telephone. The matter was settled after the doctor agreed to return the money to the labourer.